“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks,” wrote the renowned naturalist and conservationist, John Muir. While I normally wouldn’t take issue with Muir and his wisdom about the wonders of the natural world, we certainly weren’t seeking what transpired on our recent dog walk along the Roebling Towpath Trail overlooking the Delaware River. 

Sunlight was glinting off the surging waters under a cerulean sky dotted with cotton ball clouds as we traipsed along, soaking up rays, breathing in the freshening air, listening to the patter of the water and the occasional cries of some feathered flyers. 

Our spirits were soaring as we strolled down the grassy path—until they were not.

Suddenly our senior dog, Ziva, went lame, one rear leg lifted and hunched up against her belly. Tripod-like, she froze in place, a panicked look on her face. We searched for clues to this crisis and discovered the culprit to be the biggest hornet I’ve encountered here, scuttling furiously around, not far from where our sweetie had innocently stepped into chance and circumstance. 

She had to be carried back to the car, but before leaving the hornet behind, I grabbed a few pics to find out more about the distinctive insect that punctured our pup’s paw. An internet search quickly revealed the bug to be a European hornet (Vespa crabro), native to Europe and Asia, but introduced into North America and first detected in the 1840s. 

According to Penn State Extension, this hornet has become widespread in the eastern United States. Workers can be up to an inch long and queens can reach 1.3 inches. Their coloration of red, yellow and brown is a clear clue to who you’re dealing with when you encounter this feisty bugger.

Like other hornets, this species builds paper nests, but prefers protected aerial areas, such as a hollow in a standing tree. 

As you might know, hornets are wasps, though not all wasps are hornets. And if you’re wondering what that big bug buzzing around your porch light is on these autumn evenings, take note that the European hornet is also the only nocturnal wasp around these parts and is sometimes drawn to such illumination. 

While their sting is reported to be about as painful as a honey bee sting, European hornets have smooth stingers and can strike multiple times. Most stings resolve in a few hours, although Ziva’s limp lingered for roughly 24 hours. Thankfully, she’s overcoming her physical challenges and is happily quad again. As for her psychological state, a few more of her favorite treats should restore her faith in our outdoor adventures.